Nona Johnson
July 26, 1919 — September 14, 2016
Nona Johnson
97 years and Always a Lady
“Mom” was escorted into heaven by our loving Lord and Savior on the evening of Wednesday, September 14, 2016. Nona Mae passed peacefully at Hospice House after sustaining a serious fall five days earlier.
She was born July 26, 1919 to Stuart and Zora Compton in Kendrick, Idaho. Nona Mae later moved with her family to Lewiston, Idaho where she attended high school and graduated in 1937. She then worked a part time job at J.C.Pennys store while attending college at Lewiston Normal School. She graduated with a teaching degree in 1939. This started her lifelong profession as a school teacher. Her first job was at Lenore, Idaho, where she was in charge of the proverbial “one room school house”, teaching all 8 grades. As was the case in those rural areas, she was responsible for getting to work early in the morning, starting the fire in the pot belly stove, and preparing the building for the arrival of the students.
While at Lewiston Normal School, Nona Mae had met a wild and dashing young man named Walter S. Johnson. This ended her one year teaching job in Lenore, as Nona Mae and Walter were married on July 14, 1940. Such was the beginning of a lasting marriage of 48 years, until Walt passed away in March of 1988.
Both Nona Mae and Walt had long and productive careers in the educational field. “Moms” career continued as an elementary teacher for 6 years in Vancouver, Washington K-12 system. While in Vancouver, her husband Walt had established himself as a successful administrator at Clark Community College.
In 1961, at the age of 42, both Nona Mae and Walt made a major career move when they quit their jobs in Vancouver, dropped their daughter Joan off at W.S.U., and moved with their sons Steven and Craig in order to pursue graduate degrees at the University of Wyoming. This was quite a bold and “gutsy” decision as they took their life savings to earn advanced university degrees, pay for 3 college tuitions, support their family, and live in a 3 room “married student” apartment for the year.
Mom was always the oldest person in her class, but was a determined student and graduated the next year as a Dean’s list Honors Student, and earned a Masters Degree in Education. Mom and Dad then moved to Spokane, where in 1962, Nona Mae continued teaching at Westview Elementary until she retired in 1982. Her husband Walter was instrumental in the establishment of the Spokane Community College District and served as its District President until his retirement in 1976. Nona Mae is survived by her three children: Joan Kay Allan, Steven Johnson, and Craig Johnson, and her brother Richard Compton of Coeur d’Alene Idaho. She will also be missed by her six grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.
Nona Mae was a product of the “Depression” and never forgot the struggles and scarcity of money in her early years. Whether it was working for “pennies an hour” at J.C. Pennys to support her college days in Lewiston, or milking the family cow and selling the cream and butter around Reardan (where Walter coached and taught school), mom never backed down from hard work or hard times. She embodied and instilled the attitude of “make do with what you have” and “whatever you do – work hard.” These lessons were great examples for her kids and grandkids.
She never forgot her ”roots” and the effect the “Great Depression” had on her attitude towards life. From humble beginnings, she was a great Mom, a wonderful grandma, and a loving wife. She dearly loved her children. Even through the trials and tribulations, and the challenges of life, she steadfastly gave her kids “unconditional love”. She was always known for her dignity and class; and, more than anything else was, “Always a Lady”.
In her final few days, she knew she would not recover from her injuries. She trusted in her quiet, yet firm belief in her faith, and in the power of the death and resurrection of her Lord Jesus, knowing that she would enter into eternal life with Him.
“We love you Mom, and know you are resting in comfort and peace in God’s hands”. Mom’s ashes will be buried next to her husband at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. There will be no service as requested by family.
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